| TEMA volunteers activate donation hotline | | Posted: Friday, May 7, 2010 11:40 am
| Nashville – Volunteer Tennessee, working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), has activated the Tennessee Emergency Donations Hotline to accept contributions and support state flood victims.
Volunteers began answering calls Wednesday. The toll free number is (866) 586-4483, and the hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT daily.
Volunteers from local charitable and volunteer organizations, including AmeriCorps programs and Hands On Nashville, will staff the hotline and assist callers with donations through a Web site that hosts 48 organizations active in responding to disaster relief actions.
Volunteer Tennessee is a state agency that encourages volunteerism and service. Executive Director Jim Snell said, “Volunteer Tennessee is happy to play a role in connecting the generosity of those around the country who are willing to help the people of Middle Tennessee in the midst of this historic disaster. We are thankful to donors and their willingness to help.”
Snell also said that online giving resources were available to anyone with internet access. Visit www.tnema.org and click the “Donations to Disaster Victims” link to donate online.
“Although the call center is active, we also encourage people to utilize the Web site to maximize the availability of our volunteers in the call center. Donors can choose several different ways to give.”
The Tennessee Emergency Donations Hotline was established in 2006 following deadly tornadoes that hit 15 counties and killed 35 people. The call center’s goal is to help manage the volume of calls received by the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Nashville during natural disasters and other emergencies.
While assisting in the call center operation, the state will not administer the funds. The SEOC is currently operating on a 24-hour basis to support local emergency agencies and organizations in meeting the needs of flood victims.
At this time, the primary need is for cash donations; however, goods or services will also be accepted. Water and used clothing are not needed at this time. All donations will go to assist flood victims in Tennessee.
Additionally, these local agencies active in flood response are accepting donations: Red Cross of Middle Tennessee, www.nashvilleredcross.org; Hands On Nashville, www.hon.org; and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, www.cfmt.org.
WCP 5.06.10 | | | | |
